Indicator history

Enrollment to primary education is not an issue in Finland, since according to the statistics of the National Board for Education, altogether 99.6 per cent of all 7-16 year-olds participated in primary education both in 2010. The percentage was the same in 2009. No data disaggregated by nationality or native tongue is available on enrollment rates. 

One significant obstacle is faced by asylum seeker children held in detention. They are not able to participate in schooling while in detention.

In addition, children of irregular migrants, in particular Roma from other EU member states, excercising their right to free movement, face obstacles in accessing the schooling system, since access to social services, education, health and employment benefits are residence-based. If a migrant resides in Finland legally, he/she normally has a municipality of residence. Irregular migrants such as Roma from other EU member states, exercising their right to free movement, are excluded from access to aforementioned services, since they do not have a municipality of residence. Accordingly, Roma children from other EU member states are not entitled to education.